Updated: it is now confirmed, Apple's Watch uses an AMOLED display!
So Apple did unveil their smartwatch yesterday! The simply called Apple Watch is a square-bodied touch-enabled smart watch, and you can see it below. It comes in three choices of materials (aluminum, stainless steel and 18-karat gold), includes four sensors, changeable straps and requires an iPhone to pair with. The most exciting feature seems to be the "Digital Crown" button navigator.
And the most interesting thing - Apple did not reveal the display type, besides saying that it is a "flexible Retina" display, and that the cover is sapphire. They didn't even detail the resolution or size of the display. To cut a long story short - I believe that Apple did not yet choose whether this is an LCD or an OLED. My explanation below...
So first of all, they did call this a "Retina display" which made most analysts believe that it is an LCD - similar to the Retina LCDs used in Apple's previous products. But on the other hand, they did mention it was a "flexible" display. It's clear that the display itself is not curved nor bendable. So what did Apple mean exactly? I'm not sure, but the only way this makes sense is that it's a flexible plastic-based OLED.
Second, Apple did not yet reveal the actual shipping date. It will be "sometimes in 2015". This is not characteristic of Apple. The only explanation I see is that they still have technical issues. I believe they pre-announced this watch to make sure their loyal fans do not opt to buy an Android based smartwatch and wait for the Apple one.
An OLED makes a lot of sense in a watch because the display is very efficient if you're just showing the time (analog or digital) as most of the screen is black. It also offers better performance than LCDs in direct sunlight. Apple actually didn't discuss the battery life, which is one of the most critical factors in such a device. Perhaps they don't know the battery life because the design isn't finished yet!
Apple has been "trashing" OLEDs for a long time. So while they will most likely have to move to OLEDs at some stage, they may want to "hide" the fact that it's an OLED. Maybe that's what they are doing now. In addition, I understand that the contrast of the Watch is excellent (another OLED indicator), and at least one major publisher (the WSJ) claims it is an OLED.
So I'm betting we simply will not know the display type until the Watch is ready to ship - which, again, won't happen before 2015. It will be very interesting to see the market reaction. I personally was disappointed - it does not look like something I'd want to wear (I really expected Apple to deliver a ground breaking design), it's not waterproof (it's only water resistant), the battery life is not quoted, it requires an iPhone.
But then again, I don't think you'll see me with any smart wearable. Most of the time I wish I didn't even have a smartphone. In addition, when they announced the iPad I didn't understand why would anyone want a tablet (I still don't have one) - so my Apple product success forecasts do not have a very good track record.
Apple also announced new iPhones yesterday: the iPhone 6 (4.7", 1,334 x 750) and the iPhone 6 Plus (5.5", Full-HD, 400 PPI). These are IPS LCD displays, but nobody expected Apple to adopt OLEDs in those iPhones.
Comments
I do not think existing OLED make sence for expensive product. if Apple is releying on usage model for Watch to meet the lifetime, there is not usage model for watch. If the display is going to be ON whenever you move your arm, what acitvities do we do that moves our arm? talking, waking, playing?
Is Apple taking the risk of introducing a >1000$ Watch (edition) with big flaw in it.
Also, people pay so much money to have a band attached to a black brick on their wrist most of the time! What is the personalization if the display is OFF most of the time. I was expecting something different from Apple not a copycat with no significant difference.
I didn't consider this, but you're right. When the display is OFF this is probably not very attractive. And attractiveness is probably the number-one issue.
For me, it's a just a big joke. It's so far from the initial design concept with large curved screen. Apple was already not very good in price/performance price, now they are also not very good in design. But anyway the ugly, very thick and high energy consumption Iphone 5s had good sales so why not this watch?